The Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule release is officially here, and the team is turning the page to a fresh start this year. Despite missing the playoffs for back-to-back seasons, the Cowboys are scheduled to have seven primetime matchups, which isn’t a surprise since they are America’s team. However, it’s a crucial season for the team, from franchise tagging star wideout George Pickens to revamping the defensive pass-rush, including drafting Caleb Downs in the first round of this year’s draft. The stakes are high, even for Dak Prescott, entering his 11th season as the lead for the Cowboys offense.
While they’ll be challenged throughout the campaign, where every game feels unpredictable, there’s a possible chance the team could have a winning record. However, they have to go through QB Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the early leg of the campaign, Week 3 in Brazil. After a long flight, the Cowboys will return to face the Houston Texans, a team they struggled against, losing 34-10 in 2024. Fast forward, the team will have three straight primetime games against Tampa Bay, Green Bay and Philadelphia.
The first three games for the team look winnable, but expect the team to have a long battle ahead of them. It’s looking like the team will be 3-4 to start the season, but when you have a well-engineered offense between Prescott, Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, anything is possible.
dallas cowboys 2026 schedule
Main Photo: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Dallas Cowboys 2026 Schedule: 3 Crucial Games You Need to Circle Now
1. Possible Trap: Week 8 – Arizona Cardinals
Here is where things can either take a weird turn. After coming off a grueling seven-game stretch, the Dallas Cowboys will need to keep their composure. Last year, the team was unable to do that against QB Jacoby Brissett and a young offense. After the Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love in the draft, this is a player to watch for if the Cowboys can contain him. Dallas has struggled to stop the run, but overall, the team has defeated Arizona since 2017.
If the Cowboys can stop the run with Rashan Gary as the lead edge rusher alongside Caleb Downs, stopping the aerial attack, the team should be in serious business to win that game. Unless Prescott can’t stay on the same page with Pickens and Lamb last year in this matchup.
2. Super Bowl Clash: Week 13 – Seattle Seahawks
After the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, this could be the Dallas Cowboys’ toughest road environment yet. Lumen Field is loud, and it’s only going to get worse, especially as it’s Monday Night Football. It doesn’t mean the Cowboys don’t have a chance, but when you have WR’s Rashid Shaheed and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, it could wear out the Dallas secondary that’s still rebuilding. However, depending on who’s active for the game, it could even go down as an offensive shootout.
The last time the Dallas Cowboys beat a Super Bowl team was last year against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s not impossible, but if the Cowboys are hungry enough, it could go down at the very last second.
3. Hollywood Matchup: Week 15 – Los Angeles Rams
Dallas and the Los Angeles Rams have history dating back to 2019, when Dallas lost in the NFC Divisional Round to former Rams QB Jared Goff. However, reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford will suit up to clash in SoFi Stadium against Dak Prescott. Luckily for the Cowboys, they haven’t had a hard time competing with Stafford.
The team defeated Stafford twice in his career as a Ram in 2022 – 2023. If the momentum is there in December for the Cowboys with a winning record, the offense can outshine WR Puka Nacua and an older Davante Adams.